Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have an arthrodesis, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

Failure of the joint to fuse

Poor alignment of the joint, causing pain and/or an altered gait

Need for repeat surgery

Infection

Bleeding

Nerve damage

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

Smoking

Infection

Some chronic diseases

Arthrodesis of foot and ankle – arthroscopic surgery – What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Several nonsurgical methods will be tried to correct your problem before choosing surgery. These may include medicines, injections, special shoes, or types of physical therapy. You will have a thorough evaluation to determine your overall health and any risk factors.

Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:

Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs

Blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin)

Clopidogrel (Plavix)

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery unless told otherwise by your doctor.

Arrange for help at home after returning from the hospital.

Arthrodesis of foot and ankle – arthroscopic surgery – Anesthesia

Your doctor may choose:

General anesthesia — You will be asleep.

Spinal anesthesia — Anesthesia will be given directly to the spine; your lower body will be numb.

Arthrodesis of foot and ankle – arthroscopic surgery – Description of the Procedure

Arthroscopic surgery uses tiny incisions. Through one of the incisions, the doctor will insert a thin arthroscope with a tiny camera attached to a television. Other thin instruments will be inserted into the joint through the tiny incisions to perform the surgery. There are many ways to secure the two bones together so that they no longer move in relation to one another (eg, screws).

You will have a tourniquet strapped around your thigh to shut off circulation so that the surgery can be performed in a bloodless field. Your leg will suffer no ill effects from the tourniquet.

In some cases, the doctor may need to switch to open surgery. She will make a long incision on your foot and ankle to do the surgery.

It will take up to four months to heal and solidly fuse the joint(s). During that time, you will be in a cast. After the procedure, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.